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Wed, 07 Jan 2015 23:11:30 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1NYE 2015 – Happy Brew Year – Victoria’s Upscale Affairhttp://brinkevents.ca/2014/12/nye-2015-new-years-eve-victoria-bc/
http://brinkevents.ca/2014/12/nye-2015-new-years-eve-victoria-bc/#commentsTue, 23 Dec 2014 21:40:54 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=1865New Year’s Eve has always been a very unique night. It’s quite possibly the only night every year when the average folk really let loose and “indulge” in libations. The anti-socials creep out of the woodwork, and the party mood kicks in full swing. To ring in 2015, Brink Events has something special for Victoria. We’re hosting the ultimate swanky soiree at the Lighthouse Brewery. Think of it like a little city brewery meets a big city New York warehouse party!

Though beer is a main component, a full bar service including wine and cocktails will be available. The Lighthouse crew will not only be pouring, but also touring guests around the facility on mini-brewery tours for a behind-the-scenes look at the operation. Add in some amazing dessert bites from Cakes Etc. and the most sophisticated beats dance in the city, and this party will be rocking well after the clock strikes midnight! Other elements to watch out for include a photographer and red carpet, a videographer, a sparkling toast for everyone at midnight, and a sexy crowd looking to mix and mingle… A full sound and lighting system is being brought in to up the production, and decor will accent the room. Also, a portion of all proceeds will benefit the Victoria Humane Society – party and give back!

Unique and different have always been the Brink Events flavour, and this event will be no different. Expect a great crowd, a great atmosphere… and a great night! We look forward to seeing many of you there!

]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2014/12/nye-2015-new-years-eve-victoria-bc/feed/0The Truth About Event Fundraising Totalshttp://brinkevents.ca/2014/08/the-truth-about-event-fundraising-totals/
http://brinkevents.ca/2014/08/the-truth-about-event-fundraising-totals/#commentsWed, 06 Aug 2014 00:48:49 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=1820Every charity loves to proclaim how much money they raised at their latest gala or signature event. Impressive totals are cited in follow-up newspaper articles and TV news spots. I think this is great and success should be acknowledged – especially with all the hard work put into these large-scale events. What I do have issue with is the ambiguous use of the term “funds raised”.

By all accounts, “funds raised” usually refers to the total amount of revenue (before expenses) brought in by the event. This includes sponsorship, ticket sales, silent auction, live auction, raffle, etc… It should be clearly stated that this total is a before-expenses line item. It does NOT give any indication of total profit from the event.

For example, an event may have had $110,000 in “funds raised”. This is a very admirable amount… but if expenses add up to $105,000, only $5,000 has been achieved in terms of event profit. And given that many of these events are organized internally by staff/committee over a few months, the event would actually draw a loss in terms of profit when wages are taken into account.

On the other hand, if $110,000 is raised and expenses are a mere $20,000… $90,000 can be considered the profit. This is an excellent outcome and the management of funds should be praised.

For this reason, I always clarify with groups and individuals as to how much money was profited from an event rather than raised as a total. The ability to both maximize revenues and minimize expenses ultimately leads to the greatest profit. And if a memorable guest experience can be achieved while doing so, the overall event will be a hit and raise great funds.

Judging financial success should be based on event profit, or better yet percentage of profit compared to overall revenue. The latter will better tell the story no matter the size and scope of the fundraiser.

I would love to hear thoughts, feedback, and comments about this post, so please feel free to jot down your words in the Comments… Thank you in advance.

]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2014/08/the-truth-about-event-fundraising-totals/feed/0Striving for the Ultimate New Year’s Eve 2014 Experience in Victoria…http://brinkevents.ca/2013/12/striving-for-the-ultimate-new-years-eve-2014-experience-in-victoria/
http://brinkevents.ca/2013/12/striving-for-the-ultimate-new-years-eve-2014-experience-in-victoria/#commentsWed, 11 Dec 2013 02:21:16 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=1793When I design a social event or private party, I always ask myself if the overall concept represents an event that I would personally pay for a ticket to attend. This is my “litmus test” to make sure I’m on the right track. If the answer is no, it’s unlikely that the event concept is unique, inspiring, or truly creative. Typically, the design phase always starts with the venue for me. In the case of my upcoming New Year’s Eve 2014 party, I just knew that the Victoria Public Market would be a great fit…

Relatively new to the city, the Victoria Public Market was created to bring together local food vendors in a unique urban market setting. The concrete pillars, metal fencing, exposed wiring, and hollow passageways create a warehouse-feel that trumps the big brand supermarkets of old. For this reason, I thought the space would make the perfect backdrop for an upscale party. The concrete canvas just yearns to be painted with production lighting, sheer fabrics, and decor touches.

An obvious addition was incorporating the Market’s food vendors into the event program. Rather than bring in outside catering, guests can expect to sample bites from various shops inside venue. Local beverages will be supplied by Lighthouse Brewing and the Artisan Wine Shop, while a custom-crafted Ciroc cocktail will tempt palates off the red carpet.

Pulling from tradition roots, we had to choose a black tie dress code to suit the evening. It’s a classic New Year’s Eve touch – but it can be twisted in fun, unique, and sophisticated ways. And what can be more iconic than a champagne toast at midnight? There are certain aspects that shouldn’t be messed with, while there are others in dire need of change. A careful mix of the old and new can create a one-of-a-kind experience that we intend to showcase to Victoria on December 31st.

-Aidan Henry

If you’d like to purchase tickets for this sophisticated New Year’s Eve soiree, please click here.

]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2013/12/striving-for-the-ultimate-new-years-eve-2014-experience-in-victoria/feed/1Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2013 in Victoria in Stylehttp://brinkevents.ca/2012/11/new-years-eve-2013-victoria-bc/
http://brinkevents.ca/2012/11/new-years-eve-2013-victoria-bc/#commentsThu, 15 Nov 2012 08:46:12 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=1497After much planning and creative brainstorming, we are pleased to announce our New Year’s Eve 2013 bash! We’re transforming the Art Gallery into a Winter Wonderland unlike Victoria BC has ever seen before. Think sheer whites and blue uplighting. The look will be cold and crisp, but the mood will be upbeat and sophisticated. Enter the party and be greeted by sensual beats… and wonderful cocktails. Experience unique hors d’oeuvres and tour the amazing galleries! A midnight toast, followed by some dancing, will top off the night in style!

A complimentary shuttle service will be available for pick-up and drop-off. Inside the exquisite party, VIP tables will be available for purchase to further heighten the incredible experience. E-mail info@brinkevents.ca for more details on these unique services.

For more info on the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, visit their website.

]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2012/11/new-years-eve-2013-victoria-bc/feed/0Event Floral Design and Why It’s Importanthttp://brinkevents.ca/2012/06/event-floral-design-and-why-its-important/
http://brinkevents.ca/2012/06/event-floral-design-and-why-its-important/#commentsMon, 18 Jun 2012 07:10:28 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=1386Floral design for any event is like “the icing on the cake”. Sure, the cake is good enough to eat, but it’s the icing that pulls everything together.

When planning your next party, there is a lot to consider. To create a harmonized event that you and your guests won’t forgot, the venue, décor, and floral design must work together to create an unbelievable presentation. Start with your vision, examine your ideas, and choose a venue that will work together with your vision. It’s the venue that will set the stage for everything else.

Make a Statement

Whether or not you’re on a budget, I always tell my clientele to make an impact! How do you create an impact? Simple… think theatre. Tell a story – make them “oooo” and “awww”, and work your way through the event before it actually occurs. Concentrate on 2 or 3 focal areas in your room – and go mad! It’s better to focus energy on specific areas of interest than sporadically placing arrangements around a room – only to be lost in a sea!

How do you choose areas of interest? Consider everything, but start at the beginning. Walk yourself through the venue. Ask yourself, “Where will your guests be entering from?” Maybe you want to intrigue your guests right away with a pathway of lined vases, flowers, and candles, directing them to the entrance. Then maybe you want to “wow” them with a beautiful floral entrance sculpture, setting the stage for what’s to come.

Moving on, consider the flow of traffic. How will the room function during the event? Can you create a climax? Remember to think like a book – there’s a beginning, middle, and end. Will there be separate lounge areas with different themes? Are there any architectural details already existing in the space to be enhanced? Think 3 dimensional as well. Look at the walls, ceiling height, mantles, fountains, etc… Can you utilize space by suspending flowers from up above? Is the mantle a focal in the room? Could you beautify it with a scape of flowers and candles?

Floral Design visually engages your guests, promoting positive energy and good moods. There is always a sense of luxury in a room when Floral Design is present, ultimately making any room much more presentable.

Working closely with a professional floral designer will ensure your theme comes together. She/he will be able to generate ideas you may have not thought possible. Of course, there are many ideas and directions to go. Your designer will assist in getting the right look for your event.

]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2012/06/event-floral-design-and-why-its-important/feed/1Thoughts on Special Occasion Liquor Licensing in Victoria and BChttp://brinkevents.ca/2012/05/special-occasion-liquor-licensing-in-victoria-bc/
http://brinkevents.ca/2012/05/special-occasion-liquor-licensing-in-victoria-bc/#commentsTue, 08 May 2012 00:06:23 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=1109When it comes to Special Occasion Liquor Licensing in BC, most event planners and caterers would argue that the rules and terms are a bit outdated. The inability to acquire licensing on behalf of a client causes huge headaches and added hassles. Furthermore, you force the client to obtain Serving It Right (if they don’t already have it) and put them in charge of the liquor application, delivery, and supervision. These are all functions that most clients have no experience with. For this reason, it is best to leave this up to the event organizer who likely has much more expertise in the area. Having said that, it is believed that legislation will likely be updated providing more flexibility for caterers and event planners.

> Others areas of discussion and opposing views include:

Number of applications per month

Liquor pricing

Quantities

Inability for companies to charge

Serving hours

Most liquor licensing terms are sensible and realistic. However, some are a bit archaic and may need revision soon. From the point-of-view of the the liquor board, they’re simply trying to control the sale and consumption. This is understandable as lack of control would cause major problems. There is a fine balance between allowing special licensing and dealing with disorganized liquor events. There is no definite solution, but concessions should be made from both sides to ensure the longevity of great local events and responsible consumption.

Brink Events is very well-versed in all facets of Special Occasion Liquor Licensing. If you or your company needs help dealing with a special occasion licensing issue, please contact us at (250) 882-9691 or e-mail us at info@brinkevents.ca.

]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2012/05/special-occasion-liquor-licensing-in-victoria-bc/feed/2Brink Events Wristbandshttp://brinkevents.ca/2012/03/brink-events-wristbands/
http://brinkevents.ca/2012/03/brink-events-wristbands/#commentsTue, 13 Mar 2012 12:40:19 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=523Fresh off the press… The hottest ticket item in the city… Yes, you guessed it… A limited number of custom Brink Events wristbands are available. Simply tweet about Brink Events and mention the wristbands, and one will be yours!
]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2012/03/brink-events-wristbands/feed/0The Best New Year’s Eve 2012 Party in Victoriahttp://brinkevents.ca/2011/12/best-new-years-eve-2012-party-victoria-bc/
http://brinkevents.ca/2011/12/best-new-years-eve-2012-party-victoria-bc/#commentsThu, 15 Dec 2011 11:04:18 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=413If you’re looking for the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2012 in Victoria, look no further. Brink Events presents the third installment of the CODE private party series – the aptly named CODE: NYE 2012.

What can you expect and why is this different from every other New Year’s event? Nowhere else in the city will you be able to party in a museum with a black tie dress code and champagne in hand. Rather than paying $30 or $40 for your typical lackluster club experience, spend $50-70 to socialize with the city’s affluent and elite in a unique venue. In addition, you will receive champagne, premium appies all night, cigars, complimentary coat service, and much more. Don’t expect much from the clubs beyond line-ups and headaches.

CODE private parties are targeted at the 25+ crowd looking for an upscale experience and a sophisticated social scene. Expect unique venues like mansions, castles, yachts, penthouses, and more. In the case of CODE: NYE 2012, the Maritime Museum provides the social backdrop for this distinguished night. Each element of the private party will be focused around showcasing the venue and profiling the history of this nautical museum. Without a doubt, it will be premier party for New Year’s Eve 2012 in Victoria… and may likely be the party of the year. Expect big things. Expect surprises…

]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2011/12/best-new-years-eve-2012-party-victoria-bc/feed/4Event Planning is more than Planning Eventshttp://brinkevents.ca/2011/11/event-planning-more-than-planning-events-victoria-bc/
http://brinkevents.ca/2011/11/event-planning-more-than-planning-events-victoria-bc/#commentsWed, 09 Nov 2011 13:54:32 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=335Understanding the operations and logistics behind an event is one thing. Creating a certain mood or ambiance is quite another. The latter delves beyond the realm of event planning process and methodology. It incorporates a multitude of different factors that we may not perceive unless we examine the event from close range. These include the brightness of the lighting, the type of music, the colours around the room, the flow of traffic, the choice of catered food, and much more.

The ability to visualize all elements of an event before the event itself is important. Mentally rehearsing the actual sequence development over and over will help identify problem spots ahead of time, while providing adequate planning to minimize potential day-of complications. In essence, the more variables that can be taken out of the equation, the better the chances of success and the lower the chances of problems.

When I get an inquiry about an event, I usually begin by visualizing the surroundings and the backdrop (AKA the venue). For specificity sake, I envision the different venues around Victoria BC. Is the event more suited for the museum as a backdrop, or perhaps a more casual setting such as a hall? Other important factors such as rental cost, capacity, and liquor licensing obviously play a important role as well. But in my mind, when painting the perfect event, you must start with the canvas of choice.

So what is event planning really? Different people may offer different view points, but I firmly believe that the concept reaches beyond surface planning into the creation of ambiance. Generating a certain feeling among attendees will provide a much richer experience, and ultimately produce a much more successful event. Simply put, Brink Events believes event planning is “ambiance creation through visualization”.

]]>http://brinkevents.ca/2011/11/event-planning-more-than-planning-events-victoria-bc/feed/1Discovering Inspirationhttp://brinkevents.ca/2011/10/discovering-inspiration/
http://brinkevents.ca/2011/10/discovering-inspiration/#commentsFri, 14 Oct 2011 08:59:38 +0000http://brinkevents.ca/?p=228The goal with the CODE private party series isn’t simply to provide a better social atmosphere than say a nightclub or lounge… but to exceed this status quo experience by ten-fold. The true goal of these parties is to inspire attendees and provide a ‘larger than life’ social atmosphere. Carefully incorporating design, food, drink, music, and culture into a complete evening of imagination and fantasy signifies a successful event. The day-to-day grind of life wears us down. Being able to break out of this shell provides us with a breath of fresh air and allows us to re-establish our bearings in life.

As the sophistication and complexity of the CODE series progresses, events will be become more and more surreal – almost dream-like. All venues will be carefully selected to provide the utmost social backdrop for an event that cannot be imagined by the simple mind. The concept of mediocrity does not apply here. Purity and perfection will create awe and intrigue. Stimulating the mind and redefining purpose will ensure that these events become more than a social night out, but rather a new beginning for all who attend…